The cover was visually captivating, the title ‘In Your Blood, I Run’ inviting, and Sonia Bhatnagar, the author, is an ex-colleague from HTA Delhi days. I have always loved her creative work- so when I came to know of the book, it was simple for me to order it without much thinking.
BOOK SALES PITCH
The blurb was equally cryptic, enhancing curiosity and redefining expectations. It reads- “On a cold, wet night, Ratan, a wandering law-college drop-out, is called to pick up his employer, Sara Davenport, from a party at the Governor’s residence. As he arrives, he sees a figure in the dark running through the trees. The next second, he sees Sara stumble and fall. He rushes to her, but she dies in his arms. Her throat has been slashed with a knife. Ratan has blood on his hands. Sara was his employer, his lover, and his friend. He decides to flee. Ratan doesn’t know that when the body is discovered the next day, next to it would be a note … addressed to him”.
MY TAKE
The story is set in Shimla in colonial times. There is Murder, and there is Romance. A bit of despair and a lot of hope. A degree of interdependence and unspoken bonding- leading to trust. There are too many small stories and fleeting emotions that create a diversion. However, I am impressed by the way Lavanya, the author of objectionable sensuous novels with women as the central character, interacts with police and the way she holds herself in the court.
What Sonia Bhatnagar manages is an excellent smooth, straightforward narrative that keeps you wanting to read more into the story. It is pacey enough but not a real page-turner for me. You may love this pre-independence murder mystery where the driver is the murder suspect of the Senior British officer’s wife he works for. His friend of young age, Lavanya’s book of erotic sensuous stories, is found next to the victim and starts the whole chase.
NET NET
I did enjoy reading ‘I run in your blood’ by Sonia Bhatnagar, and I hope you like it too. And, when Sonia writes the next book, I will read it too.
It is different that I do not like the somewhat open ending of the book. The five characters are in a heated discussion, arguing to close the loop. Two of them have loaded pistols with them, and then one of the possible suspects jumps- only to know that two shots are fired. This, to me, is not close enough.
Disclaimer.
Sonia Bhatnagar is an ex-colleague from JWT (HTA, Rani Jhansi Road) Delhi days. But has ni part in my getting or reviewing the book. The review is entirely my impression.
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